Arkansas Auditor of State Andrea Lea recently announced an extension of the unclaimed property reporting deadline for businesses and entities impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

State statute mandates that businesses holding unclaimed assets which have gone unreturned to the owner for certain periods of time escheat those assets to the Auditor of State’s Unclaimed Property Division, commonly known as the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, by Oct. 31. The statute also authorizes the auditor of state to grant extensions where necessary.

“My heart aches for those impacted by these tragic storms. It’s my hope that this extension will provide relief to the businesses struggling to return to normal operations,” said Lea.

With this extension, businesses must escheat unclaimed assets no later than Dec. 1, 2017.

Businesses with questions regarding this extension or escheatment of unclaimed assets may call the Auditor of State’s Unclaimed Property Compliance Division at (501) 371-2103 or by emailing holders@auditor.ar.gov.

UPPO has reached out to NAUPA to request information about other states extending their reporting deadline. We will share any additional information as we are notified.